My Daughter Loved It!

by Heather
(Sachse, TX, USA)

I used A Reason for Spelling A with my daughter and she loved it! The layout was great for a beginner and she quickly worked through the entire text. We did not use all of the Bible stories and lessons that accompany the textbook as we were using other Bible programs at the time for my older son's lessons, but when I did read to her from their teacher's manual, she enjoyed the examples that went with the book. She is a very strong speller and I think this book was part of the foundation for that love of spelling that she has and uses every day. If the Reason for...series would have all of the stories that are at each level incorporated into one lesson for that level(science, writing, spelling)it would be a benefit to the teacher.

Teacher Intensive

by Shannon
(Ishpeming, MI)

Product: A Reason for Spelling
Levels Used: E
Dates Used: 2008

Likes: My son loved the various activities. He was actually excited about doing spelling.

Dislikes: I loved that he was excited, but I didn't realize when I bought it, that most of the curriculum was based around me reading stories to him. I could not afford to get the story CD, so after a time, we ditched ARFS because it was too time consuming. I needed something he could do on his own, with mom just checking on him. Also, there was really no rhyme or reason to what words were picked. They didn't teach spelling rules, and that sort of thing.

Difficult to Use in a Small Family

by Jana
(Woodinville WA USA)

Levels Used: Level A & B (1st and 2nd grade)
Dates Used: '07-'08 & '08-'09

Likes: The material is very colorful and well done. It draws both the student and the teacher into it.

They've done a great job supplying ideas for learning in every learning style as well as weekly dictation and editing skills.

It also incorporates character lessons and a Bible memory verse for every week.

Dislikes: We eventually switched away from this series for two reasons. My children struggled more than the average child with spelling and this wasn't cutting it for us.

It also was specifically written for classroom use. Most of the lesson introductions I found hard to adapt to my one or two children. However, you need those introductions because the student books aren't written to be used independently. The teacher must introduce the lesson in order for complete learning to take place.

Great Lessons!

by Bridget
(Connellsville, PA, USA)

Level Used: A (1st)
Dates Used: 2007-2008

Likes: I liked the story and questions that went with every lesson each week. I also liked the journal activity at the end of the week. Also the Bible verse taught went along with the handwriting practice with A Reason for Handwriting.

Dislikes: My child was not challenged enough with this program.